Sunken submarine owner detained pending missing journalist probe

A Danish court has ordered the owner of a home-made submarine which sank off Copenhagen to be detained for 24 days while police investigate the disappearance of a Swedish journalist who had been on board.

Peter Madsen was arrested on Friday on preliminary manslaughter charges over the disappearance of 30-year-old Kim Wall after his 40-tonne, 60ft-long submarine sank off Denmark's eastern coast.

Madsen has denied responsibility for the fate of Ms Wall, saying she had disembarked before his vessel went down.

Judge Kari Soerensen announced the ruling after a two-hour custody hearing held behind closed doors.

Madsen's defence lawyer, Bettina Hald Engmark, said her client maintains he is innocent.

Ms Hald Engmark said Madsen is "willing to cooperate" and has not decided whether to appeal the detention ruling.